http://www.journalgazette.net/section/Learning Curve en-us ℗ & © 2013, www.journalgazette.net Headlines from the Journal Gazette. Newspapers http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130619/BLOGS13/130619472 Through a public relations representative, Betsy Wiley of School Choice Indiana asked to respond to an earlier blog entry. Here are her comments, followed by my response. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:30:03 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130619472 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130607/BLOGS13/130609573 It would be nice to think that Indiana's so-called school reform movement jumped the shark today when two Fort Wayne charters converted to voucher schools to avoid accountability. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:00:30 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130609573 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130605/BLOGS13/130609687 Wouldn't it have been more cost-effective to provide adequate state support for the Anderson schools so that students weren't forced to sit on the floor, share textbooks or miss lunch? Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:06:26 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130609687 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130521/BLOGS13/130529882 It's easy to see why Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is so eager to embrace the pro-privatization forces working to dismantle public education. They spend lots of money, after all, electing politicians to support their mission. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:06:02 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130529882 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130509/BLOGS13/130509540 ALEC, the corporate-controlled legislative group promoting a systemic destruction of public education, has released its annual report card. Indiana, ALEC's poster child for destructive reform, earns a B+ on the dubious roll and ranks it first in the nation with a 3.49 GPA. Thu, 09 May 2013 09:49:13 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130509540 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130507/BLOGS13/130509665 A different state, a different decision. Louisiana's Supreme Court has Tue, 07 May 2013 14:35:54 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130509665 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130503/BLOGS13/130509822 If Indiana lawmakers had cold feet about the Common Core State Standards a week ago, they should have been totally chilled by the state's online testing fiasco this week Fri, 03 May 2013 17:38:44 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130509822 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130501/BLOGS13/130509959 Ouch. This Wed, 01 May 2013 16:13:34 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130509959 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130430/BLOGS13/130439972 Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis Kruse offered the most startling justification for not passing even a pilot program for state-funded preschool in the just-ended legislative session:"The pilot wouldn't be too expensive, but the objective there is that it probably would work out and they'd want to come back and fully fund that, which could Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:43:11 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130439972 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130425/BLOGS13/130429688 Indiana's Common Core debate has produced some odd alliances and some uncharacteristic friction within Republican ranks.State Chamber President Kevin Brinegar lays out the case for the national standards in this letter Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:08:36 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130429688 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130419/BLOGS13/130419440 The Detroit News reports Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:14:01 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130419440 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130415/BLOGS13/130419702 How much does ALEC love Indiana, and vice versa. So much that the American Legislative Exchange Council, the corporate-controlled group that writes model legislation, has an omnibus bill named in honor of the Indiana legislature's dubious achievement, Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:03:50 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130419702 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130412/BLOGS13/130419843 Tony Bennett's former communications director, Cam Savage, writes Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:16:15 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130419843 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130402/BLOGS13/130409943 If charter schools don't perform well, they will be closed, supporters of Indiana's charter school law claimed. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:02:07 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130409943 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130328/BLOGS13/130329417 Don't expect the changes Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, made to House Bill 1003 to slow the voucher push by Gov. Mike Pence and Republican lawmakers. They are intent on establishing a separate and unequal system of Indiana schools. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:34:01 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130329417 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130326/BLOGS13/130329548 In a commentary published in today's Journal Gazette, the director of the Lutheran Schools Partnership takes issue with an editorial Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:08:20 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130329548 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130318/BLOGS13/130319489 Indiana public education supporters will have their day at the Statehouse Tuesday, rallying in opposition to an expansion of the state's expansive school voucher law. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:16:55 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130319489 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130315/BLOGS13/130319680 Editorial: School vouchers -- Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:28:56 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130319680 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130312/BLOGS13/130319834 Education reform enthusiasts had their day at the Indiana Statehouse Monday Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:59:15 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130319834 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130228/BLOGS13/130229487 That sound you heard Wednesday? That was the sound of the Indiana Charter School Board rubber-stamping a real estate deal to benefit a politically connected Fort Wayne business owner. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:16:00 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130229487 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130226/BLOGS13/130229652 Fort Wayne resident Steve Cebalt has paid more than $100,000 in tuition for his children to attend parochial schools, but he's not complaining about the cost. His complaint is with Indiana's school voucher program and what it holds for both public and private schools. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:26:13 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130229652 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130220/BLOGS13/130229978 EduShyster, who blogs about corporate education reform out of Massachusetts, had an amusing post Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:09:43 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130229978 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130219/BLOGS13/130219472 If the defeat of Superintendent Tony Bennett last Nov. 6 was a high point for public education supporters in Indiana, Feb. 19 might go down as a low point. There have been plenty of those in the past four or five years, but today's House Education Committee meeting contributed mightily to the assault on teachers and public schools. Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:03:21 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219472 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130218/BLOGS13/130219511 Public education supporters from four states are expected to attend a meeting Saturday in Fort Wayne. Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:22:35 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219511 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130215/BLOGS13/130219665 Indiana supporters of corporate education reform are determined to force a charter school on Fort Wayne - whether the community wants one or not. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:30:47 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219665 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130213/BLOGS13/130219787 A tea party-fueled push to pull Indiana out of the Common Core State Standards moved ahead today with a 7-4 vote in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:53:05 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219787 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130212/BLOGS13/130219852 If Glenda Ritz's election as superintendent of public instruction didn't catch Indiana lawmakers' attention, you would think comments from their own constituents might. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:11:43 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219852 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130211/BLOGS13/130219906 Sen. Jim Banks, director of business development for a Fort Wayne construction company, has no background in teacher preparation or certification, but it didn't stop him from offering a bill that would upend the entire process in Indiana. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:18:12 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219906 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130211/BLOGS13/130219933 Indiana Republicans' attack on public education continues this week with the latest incarnation of the "parent trigger law." Former Tony Bennett aide Todd Huston, now a legislator, is sponsor of Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:55:07 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130219933 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130208/BLOGS13/130209548 If you're among the thousands of Indiana voters who attempted to send a message about public education last November, take note: It didn't register. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:59:17 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130209548 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130201/BLOGS13/130209961 Email correspondence between Jeb Bush's Foundation for Educational Excellence and education officials in six states ties policies pushed by the foundation to corporate interests that stood to benefit from them, including one in which the former Florida governor held a monetary interest. Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:20:28 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130209961 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130131/BLOGS13/130139856 It will be the end of the legislative session before Indiana voters know exactly what Republican lawmakers did to marginalize Glenda Ritz, newly elected superintendent of public instruction. But chances are it can't be worse than what the Wyoming legislature and Republican Gov. Matt Mead have done to Cindy Hill, the GOP schools chief. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:57:38 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130139856 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130130/BLOGS13/130139937 The community members who serve on the boards of three charter schools slated for closing surely are well-intended, but they would best serve students and parents by stepping back to consider advice from a supportive source, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:30:47 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130139937 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130129/BLOGS13/130129460 President Daniel Bradley of Indiana State University told our editorial board today that trying to decide what state policymakers want in terms of teacher training is the biggest challenge the university's Bayh College of Education faces. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:58:59 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130129460 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130129/BLOGS13/130129483 Need more evidence teachers earn no respect? Check out the response to news the U.S. high school graduation rate is at its highest point in nearly 40 years: Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:18:14 EST Learning Curve 2013130129483 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130125/BLOGS13/130129661 Gov. Mike Pence proclaimed in his first State of the State address this week that his administration will work with the new Democratic state superintendent to cut red tape in the classroom and "let them teach." Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:39:17 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130129661 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130123/BLOGS13/130129792 Ball State University's decision not to renew charters at seven Indiana schools highlights the state's serious need for an unbiased review of its education reform measures. Charter schools were touted as superior to traditional public schools because they would be shut down if they failed to perform. In the case of Fort Wayne's Timothy L. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:59:48 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130129792 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130121/BLOGS13/130129943 The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the 16,000-member United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:30:13 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130129943 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130118/BLOGS13/130119480 Death by a thousand cuts appears to be the method Indiana House Republicans are using to strip state Superintendent Glenda Ritz of all authority. The latest swipe removes oversight of the school voucher program from her office. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:08:05 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119480 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130116/BLOGS13/130119603 For anyone who watched as Indiana Republican legislators shoved through one bill after another affecting public education, it's a bit satisfying to see those same lawmakers tied up in knots over Common Core State Standards. Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:56:09 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119603 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130115/BLOGS13/130119714 "Sore losers" would appear to be the best way to describe Indiana Republicans angered by Glenda Ritz's election as superintendent of public instruction. Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:06:04 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119714 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130114/BLOGS13/130119747 Indiana educators have been largely excluded from the education debate in recent years. Now there's a legislative effort to intentionally cut them out of education policy. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:30:18 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119747 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130114/BLOGS13/130119754 Gov. Mike Pence was sworn in during a chilly outdoor ceremony today Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:49:20 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119754 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130111/BLOGS13/130119897 Policy Matters Ohio examined the effects of the Buckeye State's charter accountability law and found that schools supposedly shut down by the rules continue to operate. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:55:23 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130119897 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130108/BLOGS13/130109568 When the Indiana Senate's Education and Career Development Committee convenes tomorrow to consider expanding the state's massive voucher entitlement program, someone should ask lawmakers how they can justify spending Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:43:13 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130109568 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130107/BLOGS13/130109613 Any chance that the Indiana General Assembly would steer clear of education issues this year disappeared as the first bills were filed. Lawmakers are education experts, of course - they all went to school and know precisely how schools should be run. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:58:23 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130109613 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130104/BLOGS13/130109785 Sen. Luke Kenley's proposal to levy a license plate tax on Hoosier motorists for highway improvement funds seems like a good idea, provided the infrastructure improvements benefit all parts of the state and not just the central Indiana infrastructure he cited. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:28:45 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130109785 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130103/BLOGS13/130109839 You have to enjoy the fact that the first big challenge of Indiana Republican leadership's education policy agenda is coming from its own right flank. Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:26:23 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130109839 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130102/BLOGS13/130109925 As Indiana secretary of state, Todd Rokita's efforts in education were limited to a blatantly partisan swipe at teacher unions, but in the U.S. House, that apparently qualifies one to head up the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. Rep. Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:47:29 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2013130109925 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121221/BLOGS13/121229900 State Superintendent Tony Bennett has suffered yet another loss Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:27:41 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121229900 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121219/BLOGS13/121219460 Supporters of Superintendent Tony Bennett have wavered between blaming his loss on opponents of the Common Core curriculum and the state's teacher unions. They've offered no credit to Superintendent-elect Glenda Ritz's very effective grassroots campaign or any acknowledgement that Bennett's agenda was highly unpopular with public school educators and parents. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:46:43 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121219460 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121219/BLOGS13/121219469 In an effort to avoid the serious discussion about sensible limits on gun ownership, gun-rights zealots like Rick Perry, Bill Bennett and Louis Gohmert are suggesting teachers be armed Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:39:52 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121219469 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121218/BLOGS13/121219529 If Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Pence's first reaction to the horrifying events in Newtown, Conn., is to call for an evaluation of school safety measures Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:31:36 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121219529 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121214/BLOGS13/121219736 I was going to write today about results of the latest Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:29:23 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121219736 http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121212/BLOGS13/121219867 To no one's great surprise, Indiana state Superintendent Tony Bennett is headed for Florida, where he just was named education commissioner by the State Board of Education. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:21:17 EST Learning Curve Karen Francisco 2012121219867